25/2/04
Needham Phoenix v Bury Town
Bury started off the match well, taking the lead through Holden after a great pass from O'Leary. Needham equalised when their striker was given a free header at a corner.
Half Time: Needham Phoenix 1 - 1 Bury Town
After their first half pressure, Bury quickly shrunk into their shek=ll, and lost their lead when the Needham striker raced clear off the defence and stroked the ball past the oncoming Bury 'keeper. Needham then scored three almost identical goals to take the score to 5-1: The left winger took the ball to the by-line and pulled it back to the Needham striker who was unmarked 5 yards out each time. Needham rounded off the scoring with a well-taken penalty.
Final Score: Needham Phoenix 6 - 1 Bury Town
15/2/04
Elveden Rangers v Bury Town
Bury travelled to Elveden Playing Fields to play against Elveden Rangers, who were one place above them in the league.
The game started off with Elveden on top, applying near constant pressure to the away side. Pass in the Bury goal saved well from Shephard, diving low to his right, to keep Bury on level terms.
Bury opened the scoring on a breakaway - a great advantage by the referee leading to Holden calmly lobbing the oncoming 'keeper.
Elveden responded to the goal by going down the other end and forcing a blinder of a save out of Pass. The half petered out with Elveden restricted to long-range afforts thanks mainly to the solid defensive work of Knightson, Cooper and Nunn. Despite their dominance, Elveden could not score before half time.
Half Time Score: Eleveden 0 - 1 Bury Town
Immediately after half time, Bury scored with Holden bagging his second with a cool finish after outrunning the Elveden defence.
After this, Elveden went on the offensive and won a penalty after Nunn dragged down Shepherd as he was about to shoot. The penalty was perfectly despatched past the keeper's reach by Tom Cusack, who had a fine match in the Elveden midfield.
Elveden had a player sent off soon after; the Elveden striker being found guilty of using foul and abusive language at the referee.
With Elveden depleted in numbers Bury extended their lead and put the game out of Elveden's reach with goals from Andrew Cusack (2) and Cooper.
Final Score: Elveden 1 - 5 Bury Town
11/01/04
Bury Town 0 - 4 Woodbridge Town
Bury Town started off 2004 as they finished 2003: with a 4-0 defeat. However this game was very different to the previous one. Bury were competitive throughout and kept the classy Woodbridge side at bay for large chunks of the game.
Bury Town started the match on the back foot, which was to prove the story for the whole match, and after soaking up Woodbridge pressure for a quarter of an hour, finally gave in when a long distance shot was tipped onto the crossbar, the rebound falling to the Woodbridge striker in acres of space, goalkeeper stranded, who finished calmly from 6 yards.
Woodbridge doubled their lead soon after. The Woodbridge left-winger escaped the Bury defence's offside trap and was left with a simple header from 6 yards out.
Woodbridge's third goal came after a great passing move, creating sustained pressure on the Bury defence, which resulted in a Woodbridge forward finishing well from 10 yards.
Bury nearly pulled a goal back through Holden when a throughball from Munro found him 25 yards out from goal, but his delicate chip over the advancing Woodbridge 'keeper was just too high, missing the goal by inches.
Just before the half-time break, Bury 'keeper Pass was forced into action saving a clear-through with his legs, stopping an almost certain goal. The rebound was swept away from another oncoming attacker by the influential centre-back Cooper.
The second half was much the same for Bury; with the defence of Smith, Nunn, Cooper and Sofley holding firm. A great point-blank save from Pass denied Woodbridge for a bit longer, however, their efforts were in vain. Bury lost concentration at a corner, leaving a Woodbridge player an easy opportunity to bundle home from a yard.
14/12/03
Christchurch Eagles 4 - 0 Bury Town
On a blustery day, Bury travelled to north Ipswich to play Christchurch Eagles. The games started evenly, with neither team creating any real chances. After about twenty minutes, Christchurch opened the goalscoring with a 25 yard free kick that got caught in the wind and eluded the Bury Town 'keeper, Stephen Pass.
Just before half-time, Bury stareted applying some pressure of their own. Munro twice went close with well-struck efforts; both well saved by the home 'keeper. However, Bury were unable to find the back of the net.
Half Time: Christchurch Eagles 1 - 0 Bury Town Youth
Bury started the second half much as the first, holding their own without really creating any chances. They constantly turned the Christchurch defence around, but to little avail. Holden looked dangerous throughout, making the defenders jobs hard.
Christchurch doubled their lead 15 minutes into the half with a solo run and shot from the right winger. He beat two players before firing in an unstoppable shot from 10 yards out.
Very soon after, he doubled his account for the day, with a goal somewhat reminiscient of his first.
Christchurch completed the scoring soon after when a cross from the right beat everyone except the Christchurch left winger who headed in powerfully from 4 yards at the back post.
Final Score: Christchurch Eagles 4-0 Bury Town Youth
